Home Office in the media: 04 January 2018

Today’s Home Office coverage of interest includes stories on access to sanitary products in police custody, and neighbourhood policing.

Sanitary products in police custody

Speaking to the Today Programme this morning,Katie Kempen, the Chief Executive of the Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA), said women in police custody are frequently left without the assistance of female officers, without access to adequate and hygienic sanitary protection, as well as facilities for washing and changing.

She claimed the issue was a “taboo” topic and urged the Home Office to introduce minimum standards, including having products available and more female officers to help women.

In her interview, Katie Kempen also said she is working with both the National Police Chiefs' Council and the Home Office. She noted that both departments are taking the issue seriously.

Buzzfeed also reports on the story, featuring a case study of a woman who said police made her feel “ashamed” when she asked for sanitary products. According to the article, women have been recorded on CCTV while changing tampons, and left unable to wash their hands after using sanitary products.

The Home Office’s response to this story can be found below.

A Home Office spokesperson said:

Everyone who is held in custody should be treated with dignity and have their needs respected. That is why we are working closely with the Independent Custody Visiting Association and the National Police Chiefs’ Council to understand where improvements can be made on this issue.

Neighbourhood policing

The Times reports on comments made by the Merseyside Chief Constable, Andy Cooke, who claims cuts to neighbourhood policing are undermining the local response to crime syndicates. According to Andy Cooke, cuts are leading to less intelligence on gangs and are making it harder for police to win the trust of their local communities.

The Home Office’s response to this story can be found below.

A Home Office spokesperson said:

Police officers and staff play a vital role in keeping us safe and crimes traditionally measured by the independent Crime Survey for England and Wales falling by well over a third since 2010.

We recognise that demands on police are changing with more serious crimes being reported. We have announced a comprehensive settlement to increase police funding by up to £450m for local, national and counter terrorism policing next year.

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About this blog

Home Office in the media is the Home Office's blog on the latest topical home affairs issues. It features a review of leading media stories, responses to breaking news, rebuttal to inaccurate reports, and ministerial comment.